Gestational Diabetes - Cerebral Palsy & Erb's Palsy
The following video discusses gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes brought on by pregnancy. The video’s topics include testing, prevention, treatment and outcomes for mothers with gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes can cause the fetus growing larger than recommended for a vaginal delivery. If this occurs shoulder dystocia, a situation where the child’s shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal, may occur.
When shoulder dystocia occurs the child may suffer damage to a group of nerves called the brachial plexus, a condition commonly referred to as Erb’s palsy.
Additionally, shoulder dystocia may lead to the child suffering from a lack of oxygen which may cause brain damage and cerebral palsy.
It is for these reasons that expecting mothers with gestational diabetes should be monitored closely by their doctors and in many instances offered a c-section to avoid damage to the child.
